Suit Over Plaza Name Appears Headed to Trial

LAS VEGAS-It appears a lawsuit over Tel Aviv-based El-Ad Group’s use of the Plaza name for its planned multi-billion-dollar resort development on the Las Vegas Strip will be decided by a jury. Clark County District Judge Elizabeth Gonzalez on Tuesday denied several motions by El-Ad, according to online court records. The trial is currently scheduled to begin next Thursday, Sept. 11.

Tamares Real Estate, the Lichtenstein-based owner of the Plaza Hotel in Downtown Las Vegas filed a lawsuit this time last year to prevent Israel-based El-Ad Group from using the Plaza name for a planned multi-billion resort project on the Las Vegas Strip. Behind each company is a billionaire. Tamares is controlled by Poju Zabludowicz. El-Ad Group is controlled by Yitzhak Tshuva.

Judge Gonzalez on Tuesday denied El-Ad’s motion for summary judgment on damages and also denied in part its motion for summary judgment on Tamaras’ claims of trademark infringement, unfair competition and deceptive trade practices, according to minutes of the case filed online. Judge Gonzalez also denied El-Ad motions to exclude two experts’ reports, but granted its motion to view the premises of the Plaza Hotel. The jury is scheduled to view the premises on Sept. 17.